Mathematics at Totternhoe

 ​Mathematics teaches children how to make sense of the world around them through developing their ability to calculate reason and solve problems. It enables children to understand relationships and patterns in both number and space in their everyday lives. Through their growing knowledge and understanding, children learn to appreciate the contribution made by many cultures to the development and application of mathematics.​

LC2 Calculation Policy (adopted by TCEA) here
TCEA Maths Progression Document here
TCEA Maths Procedure   here

​At Totternhoe CE Academy we follow the Hamilton Trust Mathematics scheme to ensure that we:
​·        Informally assess the children’s maths knowledge and strengthen this
·        Recap essential content the children may have forgotten
·        Identify content we may not have covered during the school closure period
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​ ​We are also working in line with the new recently published guidance by the DFE. This publication identifies the most important conceptual knowledge and understanding that pupils need as they progress from year 1 to year 6. These important concepts are referred to as ready-to-progress criteria and provide a coherent, linked framework to support pupils’ mastery of the primary mathematics curriculum.

​INTENT

• By the time children leave Totternhoe CE Academy, we want them to have a real love of maths, to have developed a maths fluency and to be confident in their own maths ability. 
• Our Maths curriculum allows our children to be able to use their maths knowledge across other areas of the curriculum, to have a wider sense of number and to be able to solve problems using mathematical skills and reasoning. They will be able to use and apply their maths skills in different environments, preparing them for the next stages of their education and then adult life.
• The National Curriculum sequences out the expectation and structure for each key stage in the primary phase. We have also created a Maths Curriculum Progression document to make it clear which objectives each year group will be covering.

 
IMPLEMENTATION

• Across the school, from EYFS to KS2, children are exposed to many opportunities to engage with and deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts and skills, beyond the classroom. These include outdoor learning, utilising our Wonder Wood and extensive outside areas, opportunities to use ‘numeracy sheds’ during break times and sharing of age-appropriate ‘Maths Sacks’ with families.
• Across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, lessons are planned using the framework provided by the Hamilton weekly plans or flexible blocks, and are supplemented by a variety of additional resources including White Rose and NRICH. In Early Years, lessons are planned using the new EYFS Curriculum (Early Adopter 2020).
• Maths based morning tasks provide extra opportunities for developing and embedding maths skills, as well as maths games that are available during wet play times and golden time. Cross-curricular opportunities to use and apply maths are planned and implemented where appropriate, eg in Science, DT, art, geography, history, etc.
• A Greater Depth Maths club    led by Mrs Kanyuke was established last year and will start up again in the Spring term. This will provide  further opportunities for more able children to challenge and extend their own learning in a fun and engaging environment.
• We carry out termly assessments using the PUMA papers, alongside the continuous ongoing teacher assessments based on progress in individual lessons. Gap analysis of the PUMAs is carried out termly by the Maths Leader to help identify areas of development within each class/ year group, and within each maths strand.
• Precision teaching of specific maths skills are in place for children who need additional support with maths, and the Maths Leader will monitor the impact of these interventions. 
• Maths ‘Watch Me Learn’ sessions are currently being adapted whilst social distancing is still in place. Video clips and photos are shared with the parents via Class Dojo, allowing the parents to see and experience what their children are learning in their maths lessons in school. The children can then share and discuss these when they are at home, and they can continue the learning together.
• We introduced Times Tables Rock Stars last year, across Yr2-5 (now Yr6) and children have greatly enjoyed challenging themselves to improve their times tables skills/ knowledge. We have also introduced SumDog to all KS1 and 2 year groups, which allows children to practise all areas of maths through fun games. We have participated in two Sumdog Contests as part of the DSAMAT and the uptake was extremely high, with many children taking part and reaching the leaderboard.

 
IMPACT

• We know that our curriculum is having an impact due to the work produced by children, the opportunities they are given and the enjoyment that they have of the subject.
  
• Pupil Voice questionnaires will be carried out each term to ensure we have evidence to show their feelings, confidence and enjoyment.
• All pupils will have made at least expected progress.
  
• Pupils are prepared for middle/secondary school by the time they leave Totternhoe CE Academy due to greater emphasis on learning and practising times tables, using tools such as TTRS, which encourages greater engagement with pupils, result in our learners being more confident and secure in IT knowledge, preparing them for the Year 4 Multiplication Check and securing basic number knowledge to build on in UKS2.

Times Table Rock Stars - TTRS
We use a fabulous app called Times Table Rock Stars to help our children in KS1 and KS2 to learn and remember their times tables. Children practise their times tables each week at school, and at home, and are working hard to improve their scores and work their way up the leader board!   Quick recall of the times tables facts is very beneficial in all areas of maths.
Please note:   All Year 4s are expected to know all times table facts  for all times tables up to x 12.  This year Sycamore Class will be participating in the   national Times Table Check, in the Summer term,  and we would like our children to feel confident and proud   of their results.
Click   here   to login to TTRockStars

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